2 Samuel 23:15-16
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
David’s Mightiest Warriors
15 David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the LORD.
Read 2nd Samuel 23:8-17 for the story of “David’s Mighty Men.” Because David attempted mighty things, only the mighty could keep up with him. Those who could not or would not keep pace, could not join the team.
David’s team was one of the most celebrated teams in the Old Testament. This group was the all-star team of his battle-hardened warriors.
When these three mighty men risked their lives to obtain drinking water for David during a battle, David refused to drink it. Instead he poured it onto the ground as a sacrifice to the Lord. That act of sacrifice communicated a depth of devotion and love that had to have impressed those warriors.
What priority do you place on your work for the Lord? Does He come first … ahead of job … ahead of self? Are you keeping pace? Are you all-star caliber or just a part-time (briefly on Sunday morning) player on the team?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
PERFECT HARMONY
Ephesians 1:9-10
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Spiritual Blessings
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.
For the full context, read Ephesians 1:3-14.
When we work together … teamwork … Kingdom building … it requires the harmony we find in the Trinity.
Paul speaks first of the work of the Father in accomplishing our salvation in verses 3-6. The Father chose us before the creation of the world and sent His Son into the world so that through Him we could be adopted into His family. Second, the apostle focused on the work of the Son in verses 7-12. Christ’s blood sacrifice on our behalf paid the penalty for our sins so that we could enjoy forgiveness and lay hold of God’s purpose for our lives. Third, the work of the Holy Spirit, identified in verses 13-14, seals and guarantees our spiritual inheritance.
The Father initiated our salvation … the Son accomplished it … the Holy Spirit makes it real in our lives. The Trinity works in perfect harmony and agreement, each performing distinct roles. Wherever your team is working and whatever your role on the team, purpose to find that kind of perfect harmony.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Spiritual Blessings
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.
For the full context, read Ephesians 1:3-14.
When we work together … teamwork … Kingdom building … it requires the harmony we find in the Trinity.
Paul speaks first of the work of the Father in accomplishing our salvation in verses 3-6. The Father chose us before the creation of the world and sent His Son into the world so that through Him we could be adopted into His family. Second, the apostle focused on the work of the Son in verses 7-12. Christ’s blood sacrifice on our behalf paid the penalty for our sins so that we could enjoy forgiveness and lay hold of God’s purpose for our lives. Third, the work of the Holy Spirit, identified in verses 13-14, seals and guarantees our spiritual inheritance.
The Father initiated our salvation … the Son accomplished it … the Holy Spirit makes it real in our lives. The Trinity works in perfect harmony and agreement, each performing distinct roles. Wherever your team is working and whatever your role on the team, purpose to find that kind of perfect harmony.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
TRICKLE DOWN IMPACT
Jonah 1:7-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jonah Runs from the Lord
7 Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. 8 “Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?”
9 Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”
10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the LORD. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. 11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?”
Jonah’s decision to run from the Lord put the lives of unknowing sailors in peril.
What is the impact of the decisions you make in life? Who do your decisions, good or bad, have an effect on? Your family … your church … your community … your co-workers.
Every decision you make touches the lives of others. Purpose in your heart that these decisions are pleasing to the LORD. You don’t want to stir up a storm that negatively impacts the lives of those your life touches.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jonah Runs from the Lord
7 Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. 8 “Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?”
9 Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”
10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the LORD. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. 11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?”
Jonah’s decision to run from the Lord put the lives of unknowing sailors in peril.
What is the impact of the decisions you make in life? Who do your decisions, good or bad, have an effect on? Your family … your church … your community … your co-workers.
Every decision you make touches the lives of others. Purpose in your heart that these decisions are pleasing to the LORD. You don’t want to stir up a storm that negatively impacts the lives of those your life touches.
Monday, March 01, 2010
CHRIST’S TEAM
1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,[a] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit…
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
Read 1st Corinthians 12:12-27 for the full message God is communicating to us through the Apostle Paul.
Paul wanted to ensure us that every follower of Christ is important. Be assured that your contribution to Christ’s Team is crucial. No one has the right to act as though he or she is separate from the body nor should members of Christ’s body envy one another.
While we may wish that we (or others) were different, the bottom line is that God created each of us just as He wanted us to be and calls upon each of us to faithfully serve according to our unique calling. We are to view every member of our team as a crucial part.
How do you feel about your role on your current team or on teams with whom you have been involved in the past? How do you feel about the roles of other team members? What could you do to demonstrate that you value each member and want to strengthen his or her relationship with the rest of the team?
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,[a] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit…
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
Read 1st Corinthians 12:12-27 for the full message God is communicating to us through the Apostle Paul.
Paul wanted to ensure us that every follower of Christ is important. Be assured that your contribution to Christ’s Team is crucial. No one has the right to act as though he or she is separate from the body nor should members of Christ’s body envy one another.
While we may wish that we (or others) were different, the bottom line is that God created each of us just as He wanted us to be and calls upon each of us to faithfully serve according to our unique calling. We are to view every member of our team as a crucial part.
How do you feel about your role on your current team or on teams with whom you have been involved in the past? How do you feel about the roles of other team members? What could you do to demonstrate that you value each member and want to strengthen his or her relationship with the rest of the team?
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